Envelope providing visual inspection capabilities while maintaining substantial privacy of its contents

ABSTRACT

An envelope allows limited, yet sufficient, inspection of its contents for various types of contraband material, while simultaneously maintaining the privacy of a substantial portion of its contents. The envelope&#39;s front panel, back panel, and closure flap are each substantially opaque, and at least a portion of at least two of its edge portions on at least one of the front and back panels, are substantially transparent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an envelope and, more particularly, to an envelope that allows limited inspection of its contents while maintaining the privacy of the substantial portion of its contents, as well.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Presently, numerous varieties of mailing envelopes are available to both commercial and private customers of the United States Postal Service (USPS). These envelopes include those that are entirely opaque when sealed, and those that are almost entirely opaque when sealed, except for one or more transparent windows that are used to display address information. These transparent windows may be formed on one of the panels, and may be left uncovered or may be covered with a substantially transparent film. If an envelope includes a transparent window, the window is typically positioned and sized to display addressee information. If a second transparent window is provided, it is typically positioned and sized to display addressor information.

[0005] Recently, as well as in the past, several USPS customers have received contraband via one of the above-described envelopes. These customers were unaware of the contraband that was contained in the envelope because it was entirely opaque, and did not allow for any inspection of its contents. Moreover, even if the envelope included transparent addressee and/or addressor windows, these windows would still not have allowed for sufficient inspection of its contents to prevent the addressee from being exposed to the contraband contained inside.

[0006] An envelope that is entirely, or almost entirely, transparent would allow the USPS and its customers to inspect the envelope's contents prior to delivery and opening. However, the privacy of non-contraband mail, which makes up the majority of USPS mailings, would be compromised.

[0007] Hence, there is a need for a new type of envelope that will provide for a limited inspection of its contents for contraband material, such as a virus carrying powder, while still maintaining the privacy of a majority of its content. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides an envelope that allows limited, yet sufficient, inspection of its contents for various types of contraband material, while simultaneously maintaining the privacy of a substantial portion of its contents.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, and by way of example only, an envelope includes front and back panels and a closure flap. The front and back panels each have left, right, bottom, and top edge portions, and are coupled together along at least portions of their respective left, right, and bottom edge portions, whereby an opening is formed at the top edges of the front and back panels and a space is formed between the front and back panels for receiving an article therein. The closure flap has a first edge coupled to the top edge of one of the front and back panels, and has a free second edge distal to the first edge. The front panel, the back panel, and the closure flap are each substantially opaque, and at least a portion of at least two of the left, right, and bottom edge portions on at least one of the front and back panels, are substantially transparent.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, an envelope includes front and back panels and a closure flap. The front and back panels each have left, right, bottom, and top edge portions, and are coupled together along at least portions of their respective left, right, and bottom edge portions, whereby an opening is formed at the top edges of the front and back panels and a space is formed between the front and back panels for receiving an article therein. The closure flap has a first edge coupled to the top edge of one of the front and back panels, and has a free second edge distal to the first edge. At least one of the front panel and the back panel includes one or more substantially transparent strips on the main body portion.

[0011] Other independent features and advantages of the preferred sensor will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a front side view of an envelope according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a back side view of the envelope depicted in FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a front side view of an envelope according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a back side view of the envelope depicted in FIG. 3;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a front side view of an envelope according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a back side view of the envelope depicted in FIG. 5;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a front side view of an envelope according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a back side view of the envelope depicted in FIG. 7;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Front and back side views of an envelope according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. The envelope 100 includes a front panel 102, a back panel 202, and a closure flap 104. The front 102 and back 202 panels each include edge portions. In particular, as depicted in FIG. 1, the front panel 120 includes at least a first edge portion 106, a second edge portion 108, a third edge portion 110, and a fourth edge portion 112. Similarly, as depicted in FIG. 2, the back panel includes at least a first edge portion 206, a second edge portion 208, a third edge portion 210, and a fourth edge portion 212. It will be appreciated that the depicted embodiment is only exemplary of a preferred embodiment and that the front 102 and back 202 panels could include more than four edge portions. In other words, the envelope 100 could be formed in shapes that differ from the depicted rectangle, or other four-sided shape.

[0021] The front 102 and back 202 panels are coupled together along at least portions of their respective first 106, 206, second 108, 208, and third 110, 210 edge portions. The fourth edge portions 112, 212 are not coupled together in a similar fashion. Thus, an opening 114 is formed along these edge portions and a space is formed between the front 102 and back 202 panels for receiving an article. It will be appreciated that the front 102 and back 202 panels need not be separate panels that are subsequently coupled together. Indeed, the skilled artisan will appreciate that the front 102 and back 202 panels could be integrally formed from the same piece of material. Thus, the term “coupled,” as used herein, should not be so limited.

[0022] The closure flap 104 includes at least two edge portions—a fifth edge portion 116 and a sixth edge portion 118. In the depicted embodiment, the fifth edge portion 116 is coupled to the fourth edge portion 112 of the front panel 102. The sixth edge portion 118 is distal to the fifth edge portion 114, and is free, or in other words, is not coupled to the front 102 or back 202 panels.

[0023] The front 102 and back 202 panels, and the closure flap 104 are each substantially opaque. Thus, the content of an article placed within the envelope 100 can be maintained in substantial privacy. As FIGS. 1 and 2 further depict, at least a portion of two of the edge portions on either, or both, of the front 102 and back 202 panels is substantially transparent. Specifically, in the depicted embodiment, the first and second edge portions of the front panel 102 each include substantially transparent portions 120, 122, and the first and second edge portions of the back 202 panel each include substantially transparent portions 220, 222.

[0024] It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the configuration depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, but includes various other configurations of the substantially transparent openings 120. For example, the present invention encompasses an embodiment in which only one of the front 102 and back 202 panels includes substantially transparent openings 120. Additionally, the substantially transparent openings 120 may be positioned on more than two edges of one or both of the front 102 and back 202 panels. Moreover, each of the substantially transparent openings 120, 122, 220, 222 may be positioned on one or more corners, where two adjacent edges come together. This latter configuration is depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. The skilled artisan will also appreciate that the substantially transparent openings 120 are not limited to a particular shape, and that the envelope 100 may include more than one substantially transparent opening on two or more edges of one or both of the front 102 and back panels 202.

[0025] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that each of the substantially transparent openings may be covered with a substantially transparent film 124 that is coupled to one or both of the front 102 and back 202 panels. In FIGS. 1-4, the substantially transparent film 124 is depicted in phantom. With this arrangement, the envelope 100 may be inspected for contraband, and any contraband that is placed in the envelope 100 will remain in the envelope 100 and will not leak out the openings 120. This provides the additional advantage of allowing loose, non-contraband materials to be placed within the envelope 100, without concern for them coming out.

[0026] Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, another embodiment of an envelope according to the present invention is depicted. As with the previously depicted embodiment, the envelope 500 depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a front panel 502, a back panel 602, and a closure flap 504. The front panel 502 includes at least a first edge portion 506, a second edge portion 508, a third edge portion 510, and a fourth edge portion 512. Similarly, the back panel 602 includes at least a first edge portion 606, a second edge portion 608, a third edge portion 610, and a fourth edge portion 612. Again, it will be appreciated that the depicted embodiment is only exemplary of a preferred embodiment and that the front 502 and back 602 panels could be formed in shapes that differ from the depicted rectangle.

[0027] The envelope 500 according to this embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that the front 502 and back 602 panels are coupled together with a substantially transparent film 520. Thus, the entire perimeter of the envelope 500 is substantially transparent, providing a slightly increased inspection capability.

[0028] The closure flap 504 includes at least two edge portions—a fifth edge portion 516 and a sixth edge portion 518. In the depicted embodiment, the fifth edge portion 516 is coupled to the fourth edge portion 512 of the front panel 502 using the substantially transparent film 520. The sixth edge portion 518 is distal mto the fifth edge portion 514, and is free.

[0029] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 7 and 8. Again, as with the previously depicted embodiments, the envelope 700 depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes a front panel 702, a back panel 802, and a closure flap 704. The front panel 702 includes at least a first edge portion 706, a second edge portion 708, a third edge portion 710, and a fourth edge portion 712. Similarly, the back panel 802 includes at least a first edge portion 806, a second edge portion 808, a third edge portion 810, and a fourth edge portion 812. Again, it will be appreciated that the depicted embodiment is only exemplary of a preferred embodiment and that the front 702 and back 802 panels could be formed in shapes that differ from the depicted rectangle.

[0030] The envelope 700 according to this embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that either, or both, of the front 702 and back 802 panels each include two or more substantially transparent strips to provide limited inspection capability. In a particular preferred embodiment, a first strip 726 extends in a first direction along the front panel 702, and a second strip 728 extends along the front panel 702 in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The strips may, if desired, be covered with a substantially transparent film 720. It will be appreciated that the back panel 802 may also include strips that are configured similar to the first 726 and second 728 strips (depicted in phantom in FIG. 8). Moreover, it will be appreciated that the number, shape, and relative directions of first 726 and second 728 strips are not limited to the depicted configuration.

[0031] Again, the closure flap 704 includes at least two edge portions—a fifth edge portion 716 and a sixth edge portion 718. In the depicted embodiment, the fifth edge portion 716 is coupled to the fourth edge portion 712, and the sixth edge portion 718 is distal to the fifth edge portion 714, and is free.

[0032] The present invention is an envelope that allows limited, yet sufficient, inspection of its contents for various types of contraband material, while simultaneously maintaining the privacy of a substantial portion of its contents, and does so in a relatively simplified and low cost manner.

[0033] While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt to a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. An envelope, comprising: a front panel and a back panel each having at least first, second, third, and fourth edge portions; the front and back panels coupled together along at least portions of their respective first, second, and third edge portions, whereby an opening is formed along at least the fourth edge portions of the front and back panels and a space is formed between the front and back panels for receiving an article therein; and a closure flap having a fifth edge coupled to the fourth edge portion of one of the front and back panels, the flap having a free sixth edge distal to the fifth edge, wherein the front panel, the back panel, and the closure flap are each substantially opaque, and wherein at least a portion of at least two of the first, second, and third edge portions on at least one of the front and back panels, are substantially transparent.
 2. The envelope of claim 1, wherein those portions that are substantially transparent comprise a substantially transparent film coupled to the front and back panels.
 3. The envelope of claim 1, wherein the portions of the at least two of the left, right, and bottom edge portions that are substantially transparent are each on a corner of at least one of the front and back panels.
 4. The envelope of claim 1, wherein the entire left, right, and bottom edge portions of the front panel comprises a substantially transparent film.
 5. The envelope of claim 1, wherein front and back panels are coupled together via a substantially transparent film, whereby the entire left, right, and bottom edge portions of the front panel and back panels are substantially transparent.
 6. The envelope of claim 1, wherein the closure flap first edge is coupled the top edge of one of the front and back panels via a substantially transparent film.
 7. The envelope of claim 1, wherein the closure flap first edge is coupled the top edge of one of the front and back panels via a substantially transparent film.
 8. An envelope, comprising: a front panel and a back panel each having a main body portion, and left, right, bottom, and top edge portions; the front and back panels coupled together along at least portions of their respective left, right, and bottom edge portions, whereby an opening is formed at the top edges of the front and back panels and a space is formed between the front and back panels for receiving an article therein; a closure flap having a first edge coupled to the top edges of one of the front and back panels, the flap having a free second edge distal to the first edge; and one or more substantially transparent strips on the main body portion of at least one of the front panel and the back panels.
 9. The envelope of claim 8, wherein the one or more substantially transparent strips comprise: one or more first strips extending in a first direction; and one or more second strips extending in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
 10. The envelope of claim 8, wherein the one or more substantially transparent strips comprise: a substantially transparent film coupled to at least one of the front and back panels.
 11. The envelope of claim 8, wherein the one or more substantially transparent strips comprise a plurality of openings positioned substantially adjacent one another. 